Fifty Shades of Grey and its two successors are a huge success, but no one seems to know why exactly. I’ve read all three books and I have to say it: it’s definitely not literature. It’s not very well written, the storyline isn’t realistic at all, and the sex scenes are definitely over the top. However, there is certainly an appeal to it, and I believe it’s this appeal that makes it so successful. After I had read the books, it took me a while to figure out why I liked them so much, but then it dawned on me. I was really fascinated by Anastasia, the main character. She’s a young girl, very innocent for her age, but still very determined. She knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to go for it. But then she meets Christian (a.k.a Mr Grey) and he turns her whole world upside down, which is expected, him being the rich, famous and very eligible bachelor who is too handsome to be real. But then E.L. James throws you a curveball, and suddenly, it’s Ana turning Christian’s whole world upside down. By the end of the first book Ana has him on his knees, and let’s face it, which woman wouldn’t want a rich, single and handsome, albeit damaged man willing to do anything for her? Ana has the power to change Christian, to “cure” him from all his issues, such as his abandonment issues, his fear of being touched (which is real, the scientific term is haphephobia) and the fact that he is a major control freak. And that is exactly why, in my opinion, the books are so popular. The love between Christian and Ana is the kind of fairytale love, a love that can move mountains, a love that never fades, just grows stronger, a love that hits you right in your core. A love that, when returned, results in the typical happy ever after, which is indeed the case for Ana and Christian.
It’s not very realistic, but it is realistic enough for people to be able to relate to their story. Each character has it’s own personal problems, and there are a few times in the books where it actually looks like Ana and Christian are not going to make it, where it seems that love doesn’t conquer all. It makes you want to keep reading, and to me, that is what makes it so popular. That, and the sex scenes, of course 😛

This was it for today, it’s not as “deep” as my other posts, but it was just something I’ve been thinking about, and I think that I’m not the only one who wonders why Fifty Shades is popular. If you don’t agree, feel free to leave a reaction, everyone can have their own opinion and thoughts and I’m curious to know what you think!